CRBN-2X Square vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-2X Square takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-2X Square wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, which costs $249.99.
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
92 vs 80
Spin
Too close to call
96 vs 94
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Forgiveness
89 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$229 at IQ 87.3 vs $249.99 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: CRBN-2X Square · $229 · IQ 87.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power92
- 89Control86
- 96Spin94
- 89Forgiveness84
- 92Sweet spot86
- 91Stability88
- 71Maneuverability72
- 74Pop88
- 86Touch82
- 88Consistency86
- 76Swing weight80
- 94Twist weight86
- 55Launch angle60
- 78Plow through88
- 80Softness74
CRBN-2X Square vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-2X Square | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $229 — better | $249.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.3 — better | 86.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.1 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | widebody | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.75 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon peel-ply | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
CRBN-2X Square verdict
A spin specialist with unusually stable handling through fast exchanges at the kitchen. The square face produces the highest twist weight in our database.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 88 against 74 for CRBN-2X Square — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on control, stability, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-2X Square is $20.99000000000001 cheaper at $229.
Pop
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Plow through
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Twist weight
CRBN-2X Square leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
CRBN-2X Square
CRBN-2X Square is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 92 vs 86, twist weight 94 vs 86, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Twist weight 7.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-2X Square and keep the $20.99000000000001.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — power 92 vs 80, plow through 88 vs 78, maneuverability 72 vs 71. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN-2X Square
CRBN-2X Square is the clearer pick at this level — softness 80 vs 74, twist weight 94 vs 86, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polypropylene core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-2X Square
Take CRBN-2X Square if you want twist weight (+8), sweet spot (+6), softness (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-2X Square review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want pop (+14), power (+12), plow through (+10). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →CRBN-2X Square vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-2X Square or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- CRBN-2X Square carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.3 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 117 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-2X Square or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 80 for CRBN-2X Square. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-2X Square at 89 versus 86. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN-2X Square scores 96 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face, against 94 for the CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face on RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-2X Square, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 84). Its 7.1 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-2X Square costs $229, $20.99000000000001 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-2X Square: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 5.5 in of handle against 4.75 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-2X Square is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 117 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the CRBN-2X Square?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on pop by 14 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $229 vs $249.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
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- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- CRBN-2X Square vs Magnus 3S 16
- CRBN-2X Square vs Infinity Ruby 16
- CRBN-2X Square vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- CRBN-2X Square vs Radius CGS 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- CRBN-2X Square vs Infinity Ruby 16
- CRBN-2X Square vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- CRBN-2X Square vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-2X Square and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-2X Square and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.